Baler stuffer selectively operable to provide partial stuffing strokes

ABSTRACT

An agricultural baler includes a baler chassis and a stuffer mechanism. The stuffer mechanism includes a fork and a motor. The fork is shiftably supported to move along a loading duct during each of a series of stuffing strokes. The fork is operable in a sweeping position, where the fork extends at least partly into the duct, to provide a full stuffing stroke by loading a charge of crop material from the loading duct into a baling chamber. The fork is shiftable by the motor from the sweeping position to a retracted position, where the fork is moved out of the duct. The fork is shiftable into the retracted position for at least part of a respective stuffing stroke where at least some of the charge of crop material in the loading duct is not loaded into the baling chamber.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No.62/273,322 filed Dec. 30, 2015, which is hereby incorporated byreference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND

Field of Invention

The present invention relates generally to agricultural equipment. Morespecifically, embodiments of the present invention concern anagricultural square baler with a stuffer mechanism configured to providea partial stuffing stroke.

Discussion of Related Art

Conventional in-line hay balers include a_pickup header to lift awindrow of crop material from the ground and a stuffer mechanism to loadthe crop material into a baling chamber for compaction. A duct extendsfrom a location adjacent the header to a location adjacent the balingchamber to carry the crop material. The stuffer mechanism includes afork that sweeps along the length of the duct to move the crop material.When a charge of loose crop material is introduced to the balingchamber, the plunger mechanism compacts the loose crop material into acompact bale flake. Each bale produced by the baler includes a series ofbale flakes compressed and held together by twine string.

However, hay balers with conventional stuffer mechanisms have variousdeficiencies. For instance, conventional balers are known to make baleflakes that are generally too thin. When a baler makes relatively thinflakes, the crop material becomes excessively compacted by the plunger.Also, when exposed to an excessive number of compaction strokes by theplunger, overly compacted crop material can fall away from the bale asthe bale is being formed.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The following brief summary is provided to indicate the nature of thesubject matter disclosed herein. While certain aspects of the presentinvention are described below, the summary is not intended to limit thescope of the present invention.

Embodiments of the present invention provide a square baler that doesnot suffer from the problems and limitations of the prior art balers setforth above.

A first aspect of the present invention concerns an agricultural squarebaler that broadly includes a baler chassis and a stuffer mechanism. Thebaler chassis presents a baling chamber in which charges of cropmaterial are compacted and baled. The baler chassis includes a loadingduct that communicates with the baling chamber and defines a path alongwhich the charge of crop material moves to the baling chamber. Thestuffer mechanism includes a fork and a positioning element. The fork isshiftably supported by the baler chassis to move along the loading ductduring each of a series of stuffing strokes. The fork is operable in asweeping position, where the positioning element holds the fork extendedat least partly within the duct, to provide a full stuffing stroke byloading the charge of crop material from the loading duct into thebaling chamber. The positioning element is operable to release the forkfrom being held in the sweeping position and permit shifting of the forkto a retracted position, where the fork is moved out of the duct. Thefork is shiftable into the retracted position for at least part of arespective stuffing stroke where at least some of the charge of cropmaterial in the loading duct is not loaded into the baling chamber.

This summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts in asimplified form that are further described below in the detaileddescription. This summary is not intended to identify key features oressential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended tobe used to limit the scope of the claimed subject matter. Other aspectsand advantages of the present invention will be apparent from thefollowing detailed description of the embodiments and the accompanyingdrawing figures.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Preferred embodiments of the invention are described in detail belowwith reference to the attached drawing figures, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective of an agricultural square baler constructed inaccordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a fragmentary perspective of the agricultural square balershown in FIG. 1, showing a transmission, a plunger drive, and a plungerassembly operably mounted on a chassis;

FIG. 3 is a front perspective of a variable speed drive of thetransmission shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, showing a drive sheave, a drivensheave, and an endless drive belt, with the variable speed drive beingin a speed reducing condition;

FIG. 4 is a rear perspective of the variable speed drive shown in FIGS.1-3, showing a rotary union of the drive fluidly connected to a pump ofthe baler;

FIG. 5 is an enlarged fragmentary front perspective of the variablespeed drive shown in FIGS. 1-4, showing a dust cover of the drivensheave broken away to depict a spring and spring housing of the drivensheave;

FIG. 6A is a fragmentary schematic cross section of the variable speeddrive shown in FIGS. 1-4, showing fixed and sliding cones of the drivesheave in an open position, with the cones and the rotary unioncooperatively defining chambers to receive hydraulic fluid;

FIG. 6B is a fragmentary cross section of the variable speed drive shownin FIGS. 1-4, showing fixed and sliding cones of the driven sheave in aclosed position;

FIG. 7 is a front perspective of the variable speed drive similar toFIG. 3, but showing the variable speed drive in a speed increasingcondition, with the fixed and sliding cones of the drive sheave in aclosed position and the fixed and sliding cones of the driven sheave inan open position;

FIG. 8 is an enlarged fragmentary front perspective of the variablespeed drive similar to FIG. 5, but showing the variable speed drive inthe speed increasing condition, with the driven sheave in the openposition;

FIG. 9 is a fragmentary cross section of the variable speed drivesimilar to FIG. 6B, but showing the variable speed drive in the speedincreasing condition, with the driven sheave in the open position;

FIG. 10 is a fragmentary exploded perspective of the variable speeddrive shown in FIGS. 1-9, showing the endless drive belt and the drivensheave;

FIG. 11 is a fragmentary front perspective of the agricultural squarebaler shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, showing a stuffer drive and stufferoperably supported by the chassis;

FIG. 12 is a fragmentary rear perspective of the agricultural squarebaler shown in FIGS. 1, 2, and 11, showing the stuffer drive andstuffer;

FIG. 13 is a fragmentary front perspective of the agricultural squarebaler similar to FIG. 11, but taken from the opposite side of the baler;

FIG. 14 is an enlarged front perspective of the stuffer drive andstuffer shown in FIGS. 1, 2, and 11-13, showing a fork, frame, andhydraulic cylinder of the stuffer;

FIG. 15 is an enlarged rear perspective of the stuffer drive and stuffersimilar to FIG. 14, but taken from the rear of the stuffer;

FIG. 16 is a fragmentary side elevation of the agricultural square balershown in FIGS. 1 and 2, showing a charge of loose crop material within aloading duct of the baler, with the fork of the stuffer in a startinglocation;

FIG. 17 is a fragmentary side elevation of the agricultural square balersimilar to FIG. 16, but with the fork of the stuffer in an insertionlocation where prongs of the fork are inserted into the duct passage toengage the charge of loose crop material;

FIG. 18 is a fragmentary side elevation of the agricultural square balersimilar to FIG. 17, but with the fork of the stuffer in an intermediatelocation where the fork has advanced the charge of loose crop materialupwardly and rearwardly along the loading duct;

FIG. 19 is a fragmentary side elevation of the agricultural square balersimilar to FIG. 18, but with the fork of the stuffer being advanced fromthe intermediate location and the fork being pivoted to a retractedposition to provide a partial stuffing stroke where the charge of loosecrop material is not advanced into the baling chamber; and

FIG. 20 is a fragmentary side elevation of the agricultural square balersimilar to FIG. 18, but with the fork of the stuffer in a loadinglocation where the fork has advanced the charge of loose crop materialupwardly and rearwardly into the baling chamber to provide a fullstuffing stroke.

The drawing figures do not limit the present invention to the specificembodiments disclosed and described herein. The drawings are notnecessarily to scale, emphasis instead being placed upon clearlyillustrating the principles of the preferred embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Turning initially to FIGS. 1 and 2, an agricultural square baler 30 isconstructed in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the presentinvention. In the usual manner, the square baler 30 is configured to betowed by a towing vehicle (such as an agricultural tractor) to pick up awindrow (not shown) of severed crop material and to form the cropmaterial into multiple bales (not shown).

It will be appreciated that the baler 30 can be used to form bales fromvarious types of crop material, such as prairie grass, wheat, oats,alfalfa, sudan grass, sorghum, silage, etc.

The illustrated baler 30 is configured to form bales that generally havethe shape of a rectangular parallelepiped (so called “square” bales).However, various aspects of the present invention are applicable wherethe baler 30 forms bales with a generally cylindrical shape (so called“round” bales).

The illustrated baler 30 preferably includes a wheeled chassis 32,pickup header 34, plunger assembly 36, plunger drive 38, pump 40, balertransmission 42, stuffer drive 44, and stuffer 46 (see FIGS. 1-4).

The wheeled chassis 32 is configured to support various baler componentswhile the baler 30 is towed across a field. The chassis 32 includes anaxle 48 and a pair of wheels 50 that support the rest of the baler 30 asthe baler 30 is advanced above the ground (see FIG. 1).

Furthermore, the chassis includes a bale forming frame 52 that extendsalong a longitudinal axis of the baler 30 and defines a baling chamber54 in which charges C of crop material are compacted and formed intobales (see FIG. 20). The frame 52 also presents a downward facingchamber inlet 56 that communicates with the baling chamber 54.

The wheeled chassis 32 also preferably includes a tongue 58 that extendsforwardly from the frame 52 along the longitudinal axis to be connectedto the towing vehicle. The tongue 58 includes a pair of converging beams60 that are joined at a hitch 62 of the tongue 58.

Loose crop material is introduced to the baling chamber 54 by passingthrough the chamber inlet 56. The crop material generally moves in arearward direction while being compacted in the baling chamber 54. Oncecrop material is formed into a completed bale, the frame 52 guides thebale rearwardly for ejection from the baler 30.

Turning to FIGS. 1, 2, and 11-13, the chassis 32 also includes a loadingduct 64 operably connected to the frame 52. The loading duct 64 presentsa forward facing duct inlet 66, an upwardly facing duct outlet 68, and acontinuous duct passage (or path) 70 that extends continuously betweenthe inlet 66 and the outlet 68 (see FIG. 17). As will be discussed, thestuffer 46 is configured to transfer the charge C of crop material alongthe duct passage 70 toward the outlet 68.

The duct outlet 68 is positioned to communicate with the chamber inlet56 so that the loading duct 64 communicates with the baling chamber 54.Thus, the duct outlet 68 and chamber inlet 56 permit loose crop materialto be advanced from the duct passage 70 to the baling chamber 54.

In the usual manner, the inlet 66 is operably connected to the pickupheader 34. The header 34 includes a series of rotating tines 72 thatcollect the windrow from the ground and move the windrow in a generallyupward and rearward direction toward the inlet 66. The header 34 alsooperates to consolidate the crop material of the windrow toward alongitudinal center line of the baler 30 using rotating stub augers (notshown). The baler 30 also includes a rotating fork assembly 74 locatedadjacent the header 34 to move crop material from the inlet 66 and intothe duct 64.

The plunger assembly 36 is configured to compact loose crop materialinto one or more compacted bales by making successive compactionstrokes. The plunger assembly 36 includes a plunger 76 and a pair ofconnecting rods 78 (see FIG. 2). During a compaction stroke, the plunger76 slides rearwardly within the baling chamber 54 to a rearmost position(see FIG. 1). In the rearmost position, the plunger 76 generally blocksthe chamber inlet 56 to restrict crop material from entering the balingchamber 54. During an opposite retraction stroke, the plunger 76 slidesforwardly within the baling chamber 54 to a forwardmost position (seeFIG. 2). In the forwardmost position, the plunger 76 is spaced forwardlyof the chamber inlet 56 to permit the introduction of loose cropmaterial to the baling chamber 54.

The plunger 76 is pivotally connected to each of the connecting rods 78at rear rod ends 80 (see FIG. 2). The opposite forward rod ends 82 arepivotally connected to crank arms 84 of the plunger drive 38 (see FIG.2). Thus, as the crank arms 84 spin, the connecting rods 78 cause theplunger 76 to reciprocate within the baling chamber 54 by makingalternating compaction and retraction strokes.

As each new charge C of loose crop material is introduced through thechamber inlet 56, the charge C is moved rearwardly (see FIGS. 16-20) andcompacted by the plunger assembly 36 during a corresponding one of thecompaction strokes. The compaction stroke forms the loose crop materialinto a compacted flake (not shown) of the bale. Additional successivecharges C of loose crop material are moved into the baling chamber 54and compacted to form a series of compacted flakes. Once a predeterminedbale length is reached, the flakes are bound together with twine stringby a tying mechanism.

Variable Speed Drive

Turning to FIGS. 1-10, the transmission 42 directs power from a driveshaft (not shown) of the towing vehicle (such as the power-take-offshaft of a tractor) to the plunger drive 38. As will be discussed, thetransmission 42 provides variable speed operation of the baler 30 thatenables the towing vehicle to reliably initiate baler operation.

The transmission 42 preferably includes an articulated drive shaft 86, aflywheel 88, and a variable speed drive 90. The articulated drive shaft86 preferably transmits power from the drive shaft of the towing vehicleto the variable speed drive 90. The drive shaft 86 is operably supportedby the tongue 58 and is drivingly attached to the variable speed drive90 by a universal joint 92.

While the baler 30 is preferably powered by the towing vehicle, thebaler 30 could have an alternative configuration. For instance, thebaler 30 could include a power source, such as an internal combustionengine, to operate the baler 30.

In the usual manner, the flywheel 88 provides a rotating mass thatsupports smooth rotating operation of the plunger drive 38. The flywheel88 is drivingly attached to an input shaft (not shown) of the plungerdrive 38. The flywheel 88 is also attached to the variable speed drive90.

The variable speed drive 90 is operable to selectively change therotation speed from the drive shaft 86 to the flywheel 88. As will bediscussed, the drive 90 is particularly configured to reduce therotation speed when initiating baler operation so that operation ofvarious moving baler components (such as the plunger drive 38 and theplunger assembly 36) can be started without harming the baler 30 and/orthe towing vehicle.

The illustrated drive 90 preferably comprises a continuously variabletransmission that is configured to provide multiple drive output speeds.The drive 90 preferably includes an adjustable drive sheave 94, anadjustable driven sheave 96, and an endless drive belt 98. As will bediscussed, the sheaves 94,96 cooperatively provide the drive 90 with anadjustable speed ratio. The speed ratio is defined as the ratio of arotational output speed of the driven sheave 96 to a rotational inputspeed of the drive sheave 94.

The drive sheave 94 presents an adjustable drive operating diameter D 1(see FIG. 6A) and is operable to be selectively expanded and retractedto change the size of the drive operating diameter D1. As will bediscussed, the drive sheave 94 has fixed and sliding cones 100,102 thatare shiftable relative to one another to change the drive operatingdiameter D1. Preferably, the drive sheave 94 includes the fixed cone100, the sliding cone 102, and a hydraulic rotary union 104.

Each cone 100,102 includes an integral hub. The sliding cone 102 has apiston 106 formed with the hub and slidably mounted on the hub of thefixed cone 100 so that the hubs are slidably connected to one another(see FIG. 6a ). The piston 106 of the sliding cone 102 and the hub ofthe fixed cone 100 cooperatively form a pair of hydraulic chambers108,110 to receive hydraulic fluid for controlling movement of thesliding cone 102 (see FIG. 6A).

The hydraulic union 104 is attached to a pair of hydraulic lines 112that fluidly communicate with corresponding chambers 108,110. Aspressurized fluid is supplied by one of the lines 112 to pressurize thecorresponding chamber, with hydraulic pressure to the other chamberbeing removed, the cones 100,102 move toward each other into a closedposition (see FIGS. 6a and 7). As pressurized fluid is supplied by theother one of the lines 112 to pressurize the corresponding chamber, withhydraulic pressure to the other chamber being removed, the cones 100,102move away from each other into an open position (see FIGS. 3 and 4). Thedrive operating diameter D 1 of the drive sheave is at a maximum valuein the closed position and is at a minimum value in the open position.The lines 112 are hydraulically connected to the pump 40 so that eachline 112 can be selectively pressurized and depressurized by the pump 40(see FIG. 4).

The drive sheave 94 is preferably adjustable to change the driveoperating diameter D1 and to correspondingly change a speed ratio of thedrive 90. However, for some aspects of the present invention, the drivesheave 94 could have a fixed operating diameter. For instance, toalternatively change the speed ratio of the drive 90, an adjustmentsheave (not shown) could be slidably mounted to the chassis 32 toselectively increase or decrease belt tension. Specifically, theadjustment sheave could be moved to generally increase tension in theendless drive belt 98 such that the drive belt 98 urges the cones of thedriven sheave 96 apart and thereby reduces the operating diameter of thedriven sheave 96. That is, the drive belt 98 could be tensioned toovercome the spring force (as discussed below) that normally urges thecones of the driven sheave 96 together. Similarly, the adjustment sheavecould be moved to generally reduce tension in the endless drive belt 98such that the drive belt 98 permits the cones of the driven sheave 96 tomove toward each other and thereby increases the operating diameter ofthe driven sheave 96. Also, while an adjustment sheave could be providedin addition to the sheaves 94,96, one of the sheaves 94,96 could beslidably mounted to move toward or away from the other sheave 94,96 toselectively increase or decrease belt tension.

The driven sheave 96 presents an adjustable driven operating diameter D2and is operable to be selectively expanded and retracted to change thesize of the driven operating diameter D2 (see FIG. 6B). As will bediscussed, the driven sheave 96 has fixed and sliding cones 114,116 thatare shiftable relative to one another to change the driven operatingdiameter D2. Preferably, the driven sheave 96 includes a mounting hub118, fixed hub 120, fixed cone 114, sliding hub 122, sliding cone 116,spring 124, spring housing 126, dust cover 128, thrust bearings 130, cap132, and bolt 134 (see FIG. 6B).

The mounting hub 118 has a unitary construction and includes a shaftwith splined sections 136,138 and a threaded bore 140 (see FIGS. 6b , 9,and 10). The mounting hub 118 is attached to the flywheel 88 withfasteners 142, such that the mounting hub 118 spins with the flywheel88.

The fixed hub 120 includes a tube 144 that presents a splined bore 146and also includes a hub flange 148 integrally formed with the tube 144(see FIGS. 6B, 9 and 10). The fixed cone 114 presents a conical beltsurface 150 and includes a cone flange 152. The hub 120 and cone 114 areremovably attached to each other by securing the flanges 148,152together with threaded fasteners 154.

Similarly, sliding hub 122 includes a tube 156 that presents a bore 158and also includes a hub flange 160 integrally formed with the tube 156(see FIGS. 6B, 9 and 10). The sliding cone 116 presents a conical beltsurface 162 and includes a cone flange 164. The hub 122 and cone 116 areremovably attached to each other by securing the flanges 160,164together with threaded fasteners 154.

The fixed hub 120 and cone 114 are movably secured on the mounting hub118 by inserting the shaft through the splined bore 146 so that thesplined section 136 engages corresponding splines of the fixed hub 120.

The sliding hub 122 and cone 116 are removably mounted on the fixed hub120 and cone 114 by inserting the tube 156 of the fixed hub 120 throughthe bore 158 of the sliding hub 122. The hubs 120,122 are slidablyengaged with each other so that the cones 114,116 can slide toward andaway from one another.

The spring housing 126 includes two separable halves 126 a,b that eachpresent a toothed collar and an opening to receive the spring 124. Thespring housing 126 is mounted on the sliding hub 122 so that the toothedcollars are interdigitated and the spring 124 is located within thehousing 126.

The dust cover 128 includes two halves 128 a,b that are telescopicallyengaged with one another. The dust cover 128 is shiftably received onthe spring housing 126 so that each half 128 a,b of the dust cover 128moves with a corresponding half 126 a,b of the spring housing 126.

The cap 132 includes a splined bore 166 that is slidably engaged withthe splined section 136 of the shaft. The bolt 134 is threaded into thebore 140 of the shaft so that the cap 132 engages the end of the tube144 and the spring housing 126.

The spring 124 is configured to urge the cones 114,116 toward each otherinto a normally closed position. As a result, the spring 124 urges thecones 114,116 to move so as to generally increase the operating diameterD2 of the driven sheave 96. However, the spring 124 also permits thecones 114,116 to move away from one another toward an opposite openposition. The operating diameter D2 of the driven sheave 96 is at amaximum value in the normally closed position and is at a minimum valuein the open position.

The drive 90 assumes a speed reducing condition when the drive sheave 94is shifted into the open position. In particular, with the drive sheave94 in the open position, the spring 124 of the driven sheave 96 movesthe driven sheave 96 to the normally closed position. Thus, in the speedreducing condition, the operating diameter D1 of the drive sheave 94 isat a minimum value and the operating diameter D2 of the driven sheave 96is at a maximum value. The illustrated drive 90 has a speed ratio in thespeed reducing condition that preferably ranges from about 0.5:1 toabout 1:1 and, more preferably, is about 2:3.

It has been found that the speed reducing condition is particularlyeffective for initiating operation of the baler 30. Specifically, thespeed reducing condition allows the towing vehicle to smoothly andreliably initiate movement of the various baler mechanisms. Because thebaler mechanisms have a substantial combined mass, the speed reductionprovided by the drive permits the vehicle to initiate baler operationwhile minimizing the possibility that the vehicle stalls and/orminimizing the possibility that the baler or vehicle becomes damagedfrom starting the baler mechanisms.

The drive 90 assumes a speed increasing condition when the drive sheave94 is shifted into the closed position. In particular, with the drivesheave 94 in the closed position, the spring 124 of the driven sheave 96permits the driven sheave 96 to move to the open position. Thus, in thespeed increasing condition, the operating diameter D1 of the drivesheave 94 is at a maximum value and the operating diameter D2 of thedriven sheave 96 is at a minimum value. The illustrated drive 90 has aspeed ratio in the speed increasing condition that preferably rangesfrom about 1:1 to about 2:1 and, more preferably, is about 1.5:1. Thespeed increasing condition enables the baler 30 to operate quickly andefficiently while making bales.

While both sheaves 94,96 are preferably adjustable to change the speedratio of the drive 90, one of the sheaves 94,96 could have a fixedoperating diameter. For instance, where the driven sheave 96 has a fixedoperating diameter, an idler sheave (not shown) could be slidablymounted to the chassis 32 to maintain a desired range of belt tension asthe drive sheave 94 is adjusted.

While the illustrated drive 90 preferably comprises a belt drive, thedrive 90 could have an alternative endless element. For instance, thedrive 90 could include an endless chain. Furthermore, various aspects ofthe present invention are applicable where the drive 90 includes anothertype of variable transmission.

Baler Stuffer

Turning to FIGS. 11-20, the stuffer 46 is configured to sweep loose cropmaterial along the duct passage 70 using a series of stuffing strokes.During at least some of the stuffing strokes, the stuffer 46 loads theloose crop material into the baling chamber 54. As will be described ingreater detail, the stuffer 46 is operable to sweep crop material witheither a partial stuffing stroke or a full stuffing stroke. The stuffer46 preferably includes a stuffer frame 200, a stuffer fork 202, and ahydraulic cylinder 204.

The stuffer drive 44 powers the stuffer 46 through the series ofstuffing strokes and is driven by an accessory shaft (not shown) of theplunger drive 38. The stuffer drive 44 includes a drive shaft 206 thatextends laterally across the width of the baler 30 and presents oppositeshaft ends. The stuffer drive 44 also includes crank arms 208 a,b andsprocket 210 mounted on respective ends of the drive shaft 206. Thestuffer drive 44 is configured to spin about a drive axis V during baleroperation (see FIGS. 16-20).

The stuffer fork 202 includes a mounting tube 212 that extends laterallyacross the width of the baler 30, a lever 214 fixed to an end of themounting tube 212, and a series of prongs 216 that are fixed to themounting tube 212 and spaced along the length thereof (see FIGS. 13-15).The prongs 216 are generally parallel to one another and point in acommon direction. The stuffer fork 202 is configured to move along thelength of the duct passage 70 during a stuffing stroke.

The stuffer frame 200 preferably includes a pair of links 218 thatoperably interconnect the crank arms 208 and the stuffer fork 202. Eachlink 218 comprises a unitary, plate-like structure that is elongated andpresents opposite crank and fork ends 220,222 (see FIGS. 13-15). Thelink 218 also presents a curved slot 224 that extends longitudinallybetween the ends 220,222.

The fork ends 222 of the links 218 are pivotally attached tocorresponding ends of the mounting tube 212. This pivoting connectionpermits the fork 202 to pivot relative to the links 218 about a forkaxis F (see FIGS. 16-20). As will be discussed, the fork 202 can bepivoted to control the amount of crop material loaded into the balingchamber 54.

The links 218 cooperate with the crank arms 208 and a stuffer guide 226of the chassis 32 to direct the fork 202 through a stuffing stroke and areturn stroke (see FIGS. 13-15).

The stuffer guide 226 is positioned generally above the duct passage 70and includes a support beam 228 and arms 230 attached to each end of thesupport beam 228 (see FIGS. 13-15). The stuffer guide 226 also includesroller bearings 232 rotatably supported on the corresponding arms 230.

The links 218 are slidably attached to the stuffer guide 226 byremovably locating the bearings 232 within respective slots 224 of thelinks 218. The links 218 and the stuffer guide 226 are configured topermit sliding movement of the bearings 232 along the length of theslots 224.

The crank ends 220 of the links 218 are rotatably attached to the crankarms 208 to form pivot joints 234. The joints 234 allow the links 218 tofollow the crank arms 208 as the crank arms 208 spin about the driveaxis V.

The crank arms 208, links 218, and stuffer guide 226 cooperatively movethe fork 202 along a stuffing stroke from a starting location (see FIG.16), where the fork 202 is ready to be inserted into the duct passage 70behind the charge C of crop material, to a loading location (see FIG.20), where the fork 202 has swept the charge C of crop material upwardlyand rearwardly into the baling chamber 54.

During the stuffing stroke, the fork 202 moves from the startinglocation, where the fork 202 is located entirely outside of the ductpassage 70, to an insertion location, where the prongs 216 of the fork202 are inserted partly into the duct passage 70 between the inlet 66and the outlet 68. Preferably, more than half the length of each prong216 is received by the duct passage 70 in the insertion location.

From the insertion location, the fork 202 sweeps upwardly and rearwardlytoward an intermediate location between the insertion location and theloading location. The fork 202 continues to sweep upwardly andrearwardly when moving from the intermediate location to the loadinglocation.

After the stuffing stroke, the crank arms 208, links 218, and stufferguide 226 cooperatively move the fork 202 in a return stroke from theloading location to the starting location. As the fork 202 travelsthrough the return stroke, the prongs 216 of the fork 202 generallytravel outside of the duct 64. Continued rotation of the stuffer drive44 causes the stuffer 46 to move through a repeating series of stuffingstrokes and return strokes. Preferably, the series of stuffing strokesproduced by rotation of the stuffer drive 44 have generally the samestroke length.

As mentioned, the fork 202 is preferably rotatably mounted to the links218. The cylinder 204 is configured to pivot the fork 202 relative tothe links 218 between a sweeping position (see FIG. 18), where the fork202 extends at least partly into the duct 64, and a retracted position(see FIG. 19), where the fork 202 is moved out of the duct 64. Thecylinder 204 is part of a baler hydraulic system that includes the pump40, among other hydraulic components.

The cylinder 204 comprises a hydraulic cylinder with a cylinder housing236 and a piston component 238 that slides relative to the cylinderhousing 236 (see FIGS. 14 and 15). The cylinder housing 236 includesports 240 that are configured to transmit hydraulic fluid to and fromthe cylinder 204 (see FIG. 14). The ports 240 are fluidly connected tohydraulic lines (not shown) that are fluidly connected to the pump 40.

The cylinder 204 is mounted so that the cylinder housing 236 ispivotally connected to a tab 242 of the link 218 (see FIG. 14). Also,the piston component 238 is pivotally mounted to an end of the lever214. As the piston component 238 extends and retracts relative to thecylinder housing 236, the entire fork 202 (including the lever 214)pivots relative to the links 218.

The cylinder 204 is configured so that a retraction angle α is definedbetween the sweeping position and the retracted position (see FIG. 19).The retraction angle α preferably ranges from about ninety-five degrees(95°) to about one hundred fifteen degrees (115°). However, for someaspects of the present invention, the retraction angle α could falloutside of this range.

The illustrated cylinder 204 is preferably used to power the fork 202between the sweeping and retracted positions. However, the stuffer 46could use an alternative motor without departing from the scope of thepresent invention. For instance, the stuffer 46 could include anelectric linear motor to control the fork position. Furthermore, thestuffer 46 could use a rotating electric motor, such as a servo motor.

The baler 30 preferably includes a sensor to sense the rotationalposition of the fork 202 relative to the frame 200. For instance, thestuffer 46 could include a rotary encoder to provide electronic sensingof the rotational position of the fork 202. The rotary encoder can beused to identify and/or trigger when to shift the fork 202 from thesweeping position to the retracted position (e.g., to provide a partialstuffing stroke). For instance, the baler 30 could include a computer(not shown) that automatically moves the fork 202 to the retractedposition when the sensed position value exceeds a predetermined limitingvalue of position (e.g., where the limiting value is associated with thefork 202 being in the intermediate location).

Alternatively, the baler 30 could include a sensor to sense theresistant force being applied to the fork 202 by the charge C of cropmaterial. For example, the hydraulic system of the baler 30 couldinclude a pressure sensor that fluidly communicates with one of theports to sense the hydraulic pressure within the cylinder 204. Apressure sensor, force sensor, and/or another type of sensor can also beused to identify and/or trigger when to shift the fork 202 from thesweeping position to the retracted position. Again, the baler 30 couldinclude a computer that automatically moves the fork 202 to theretracted position when the sensed value (e.g., pressure, force, etc.)exceeds a predetermined limiting value. For instance, if the hydraulicpressure associated with the cylinder 204 falls below a predeterminedpressure during the stuffing stroke (e.g., because the charge of cropmaterial is too thin), the computer could automatically retract the fork202.

The cylinder 204 is configured to be used with the stuffer 46 toselectively provide a full stuffing stroke and a partial stuffingstroke. A full stuffing stroke refers to a stuffing stroke where thefork 202 is in the sweeping position during the entire stroke.Specifically, the fork 202 remains in the sweeping position when moving,in succession, along the starting location (see FIG. 16), the insertionlocation (see FIG. 17), the intermediate location (see FIG. 18), and theloading location (see FIG. 20). During the full stuffing stroke, thefork 202 is operable to load the charge C of loose crop material fromthe loading duct 64 into the baling chamber 54.

Preferably, the cylinder 204 holds the fork 202 extended at least partlywithin the duct while the fork 202 is in the sweeping position. However,an alternative positioning mechanism could be used to position and holdthe fork 202 extended in the sweeping position. For instance, the baler30 could include a releasable latching element to position and hold thefork 202 in the sweeping position by releasably engaging the fork 202.It will be understood that such an alternative positioning element couldbe used as an alternative to the cylinder 204 or in combination with thecylinder 204.

The hydraulic system of the baler 30 preferably includes a hydraulicvalve (not shown) that fluidly communicates with one of the ports 240 toselectively restrict fluid flow to and from the port 240. In particular,when the valve is closed, the valve restricts fluid flow to and from theport 240. When the valve is open, the valve permits fluid flow to andfrom the port.

When the fork 202 is being used in the sweeping position, the valve canbe closed to lock the cylinder 204 in the sweeping position. Forinstance, during a full stuffing stroke, the valve is preferably closedso that the cylinder is locked in the sweeping position.

A partial stuffing stroke refers to a stuffing stroke where the fork 202is in the retracted position for at least part of the stuffing stroke.For instance, in one type of partial stuffing stroke, the fork 202 is inthe sweeping position at the starting location (see FIG. 16), at theinsertion location (see FIG. 17), and at the intermediate location (seeFIG. 18). At the intermediate location of the partial stuffing stroke,the cylinder 204 then swiftly pivots the fork 202 from the sweepingposition to the retracted position (see FIG. 19). The fork 202 thenremains in the retracted position through the end of the partialstuffing stroke at the loading location. The fork 202 can then berotated back to the sweeping position when returning to the startinglocation.

With the fork 202 in the retracted position during at least part of thestuffing stroke, the fork 202 is preferably configured so that at leastsome of the charge C of loose crop material in the loading duct 64 isnot loaded into the baling chamber 54. More preferably, during thepartial stuffing stroke, the fork 202 is configured so that generallynone of the charge C of crop material in the loading duct 64 is loadedinto the baling chamber 54.

During the partial stuffing stroke, the fork 202 is preferablyconfigured to move a charge C of loose crop material rearwardly andupwardly along the duct 64 without loading the charge C into the balingchamber 54.

While the illustrated retracted position is preferred for the partialstuffing stroke, the fork 202 could be located in an alternativeretracted position. For instance, the fork 202 could be rotated to aposition between the illustrated retracted position and the sweepingposition to provide a partial stuffing stroke.

It will be appreciated that the sequence of fork positions during thestuffing stroke could be altered without departing from the scope of thepresent invention. For instance, the fork 202 could be shifted from thesweeping position to the retracted position at a location before orafter the intermediate location. Yet further, it will be understood thatthe fork 202 could be retracted and/or extended multiple times during asingle stuffing stroke.

Operation

In use, the baler 30 is preferably started with the drive 90 in thespeed reducing condition, where the drive sheave is in the openposition. If necessary, the baler hydraulic system is used to shift thedrive sheave 94 from the closed position to the open position prior tostarting the baler 30. With the drive sheave 94 in the open position,the spring 124 of the driven sheave 96 moves the driven sheave 96 to thenormally closed position. Again, it has been found that the speedreducing condition is effective for initiating baler operation becausethe baler mechanisms have a substantial combined mass and, consequently,are difficult to start.

Once the baler 30 has achieved steady state operation at the reducedspeed, the drive 90 can be shifted into the speed increasing condition.Specifically, the baler hydraulic system is used to shift the drivesheave 94 from the open position to the closed position. With the drivesheave 94 in the closed position, the spring 124 of the driven sheave 96permits the driven sheave 96 to move to the open position.

During baler operation, the fork 202 of the stuffer 46 is generallypositioned to provide a full stuffing stroke so that the fork 202 loadsthe charge C of loose crop material from the loading duct 64 into thebaling chamber 54. If the charge C of loose crop material becomes toosmall to load into the baling chamber 54, the stuffer 46 can be shiftedto the retracted position for at least part of a stuffing stroke. Forexample, a partial stuffing stroke can be provided by moving thecylinder 204 in the intermediate location to pivot the fork 202 from thesweeping position to the retracted position (see FIG. 19). The fork 202can then be rotated back to the sweeping position when returning to thestarting location.

To shut down the baler 30, the drive 90 can be initially returned to thespeed reducing condition to slow down the baler mechanism. In the speedreducing condition, power to the drive 90 can be cut off entirely to thedrive 90. However, the baler 30 could be alternatively shut down bycutting off power to the drive 90 without returning the drive 90 to thespeed reducing condition.

Although the above description presents features of preferredembodiments of the present invention, other preferred embodiments mayalso be created in keeping with the principles of the invention. Suchother preferred embodiments may, for instance, be provided with featuresdrawn from one or more of the embodiments described above. Yet further,such other preferred embodiments may include features from multipleembodiments described above, particularly where such features arecompatible for use together despite having been presented independentlyas part of separate embodiments in the above description.

The preferred forms of the invention described above are to be used asillustration only, and should not be utilized in a limiting sense ininterpreting the scope of the present invention. Obvious modificationsto the exemplary embodiments, as hereinabove set forth, could be readilymade by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit ofthe present invention.

The inventors hereby state their intent to rely on the Doctrine ofEquivalents to determine and assess the reasonably fair scope of thepresent invention as pertains to any apparatus not materially departingfrom but outside the literal scope of the invention as set forth in thefollowing claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. An agricultural baler comprising: a baler chassishaving a baling chamber in which charges of crop material are compactedand baled, said baler chassis including a loading duct that communicateswith the baling chamber and defines a path along which the charge ofcrop material moves to the baling chamber, wherein said baler chassishas a stuffer guide comprising a support beam with at least one guidearm extending from the support beam, the at least one guide arm having aroller bearing mounted on a distal end of the guide arm; and a stuffermechanism including a stuffer frame that moves along the loading ductduring a series of stuffing strokes, a fork comprising a mounting tubepivotably mounted on the stuffer frame, a positioning element, and arotating drive that powers the stuffer mechanism through the series ofstuffing strokes, said rotating drive including a rotating crank armthat spins during the series of stuffing strokes, wherein said stufferframe comprises a link having a first end that connects to the crank armand a second end that connects to the mounting tube of the fork, withthe mounting tube of the fork pivotably mounted on the link, said forkbeing shiftably supported by the baler chassis to move along the loadingduct during the series of stuffing strokes, wherein said series ofstuffing strokes comprises at least one full stuffing stroke and atleast one partial stuffing stroke, wherein said link comprises a slottedopening with the roller bearing of the stuffer guide in engagement withthe slotted opening such that the roller bearing slides along the lengthof the slotted opening during the series of stuffing strokes causing thecrank arm and the stuffer guide to cooperatively position the link asthe crank arm rotates, wherein in said at least one full stuffingstroke, said fork is in a sweeping position, where the positioningelement holds the fork extended at least partly within the loading ductfor the full stuffing stroke during said series of stuffing strokes suchthat the fork loads the charge of crop material from the loading ductinto the baling chamber, said positioning element comprising a motorconnected to the mounting tube of the fork, with the motor beingoperable to pivot mounting tube of the fork relative to the link toshift the fork between the sweeping position and a retracted position inwhich the fork is moved out of the loading duct, said motor beingmounted on the link so as to be configured to move with the link duringthe series of stuffing strokes, wherein in said at least one partialstuffing stroke, said motor shifts said fork into the retracted positionfor at least part of the partial stuffing stroke during said series ofstuffing strokes by pivoting the mounting tube relative to the link suchthat at least some of the charge of crop material in the loading duct isnot loaded into the baling chamber.
 2. The agricultural baler as claimedin claim 1, wherein said motor comprises a hydraulic cylinder.
 3. Anagricultural baler comprising: a baler chassis supporting a balingchamber in which charges of crop material are compacted and baled, saidbaler chassis including a loading duct that communicates with the balingchamber and defines a path along which the charge of crop material movesto the baling chamber, wherein said baler chassis has a stuffer guidecomprising a support beam with at least one guide arm extending from thesupport beam, the at least one guide arm having a roller bearing mountedon a distal end of the guide arm; and a stuffer mechanism including astuffer frame, a fork, a rotating drive that powers the stuffer frame,said rotating drive including a rotating crank arm that drives thestuffer frame in a series of stuffing strokes, and a positioningelement, said fork being shiftably supported by the stuffer frame tomove along the loading duct by the crank arm during the series ofstuffing strokes, each of the stuffing strokes of the series of stuffingstrokes having the same stroke length, wherein said series of stuffingstrokes comprises at least one full stuffing stroke and at least onepartial stuffing stroke, wherein said stuffer frame comprises a linkthat interconnects the crank arm and the fork, with the fork pivotablymounted on the link, wherein said link comprises a slotted opening withthe roller bearing of the stuffer guide in engagement with the slottedopening such that the roller bearing slides along the length of theslotted opening during the series of stuffing strokes causing the crankarm and the stuffer guide to cooperatively position the link as thecrank arm rotates, said fork being operable in a sweeping position,where the positioning element holds the fork extended at least partlywithin the loading duct, to provide a full stuffing stroke during saidseries of stuffing strokes such that the fork loads the charge of cropmaterial from the loading duct into the baling chamber, said positioningelement being operable to pivot the fork relative to the link betweenthe sweeping position and a retracted position in which the fork ismoved out of the loading duct, said fork being shifted into theretracted position for at least part of the partial stuffing strokeduring said series of stuffing strokes where at least some of the chargeof crop material in the loading duct is not loaded into the balingchamber.
 4. The agricultural baler as claimed in claim 3, wherein saidstuffer frame shifts along the length of the loading duct during theseries of stuffing strokes.
 5. The agricultural baler as claimed inclaim 1, wherein said fork rotates through a retraction angle whenmoving from the sweeping position to the retracted position, with theretraction angle ranging from ninety-five degrees to one hundred fivedegrees.
 6. The agricultural baler as claimed in claim 1, furthercomprising a plunger assembly operable to compact the charge of cropmaterial within the baling chamber.
 7. The agricultural baler as claimedin claim 3, wherein said fork rotates through a retraction angle whenmoving from the sweeping position to the retracted position, with theretraction angle ranging from ninety-five degrees to one hundred fivedegrees.
 8. The agricultural baler as claimed in claim 3, wherein saidpositioning element comprises a hydraulic cylinder.
 9. The agriculturalbaler as claimed in claim 3 wherein the positioning element pivots thefork relative to the stuffer frame to shift the fork between thesweeping position and the retracted position.